A Cigarette-Maker's Romance

to the street. Five minutes later the Count was strolling along the Maximilians-strasse in the direction of the royal palace. As he walk

ges, dogs of every breed from the Saint Bernard to the crooked-jointed Dachs, perambulators not a few and legions of nursery-maids. Most of the people who passed cast a glance at the thoroughbred-looking man in the threadbare frock-coat who looked at them all with such an air of quiet superiority, carrying his head so high and putting down his feet with such a firm tread. There were doubtless those among the crowd who saw in the tired face th

ed at one of the hotels. She was generally employed upon like errands, because she was the poorest in the establishment, and those who received the wares gave her a few pence for her trouble. She sped quickly onward, until she suddenly found herself close behind the Count. Then she slackened her pace and crept along as noiselessly as possible, her eyes fixed upon him as she walked and evidently doing her best not to overtake him nor to be seen by him. As luck would have it, however, the Count suddenly sto

his hand upon the basket an

and her grip tightened upon the stra

again," she said, quickly,

y should I not d

ple stared at you-they never stare

Count, quietly. "I am not afraid of being taken for a servant or a

in great earnest. "I cannot bear to se

way, Vjera found herself suddenly in the stream, and just then a broad-shouldered officer who chanced to be looking the other

in that way?" he asked in a sharp t

d-looking individual who, from his accent, was evidently a foreigner. The Count's eyes darted an angry glance after the offender, and then he looked

ow hurt you?" he asked

basket!" Vjera's face

easure of accompanying you and of carrying your burden. Afterwards, if you

rl, bending her head, as though to hide her bur

y. In front of the entrance Vjera put out her hand entreatingly towards her basket, but the Count took no notice of the attempt and resolutely ascended the steps of the porch by her side. Be

some one here," said the C

waiter," said

rogative of servants in their manner with those whom they are privileged to consider as their inferiors. Presently, however, meeting the Count's cold stare,

chink of the nickel pence, as the head waiter inserted two fat whit

hing eye in the strong afternoon light which streamed through the open door. Then Vjera's low-spoken word of thanks and her light tread made him aware that she had received her litt

to me," said poor Vjera. "

red her companion. "Or if there is to be such a question i

r w

king my life bearable during the past months-or years. I keep little account of time. How long is

ed Vjera. "It is six years since I

ssible! You must be mistak

turned her face away wit

happened," said the Count, thoughtfully.

g so untrue!" Vjera exclaimed

ut the help of years. That is what Germany has done for me. And yet, how much older I should be but for you, dear Vjera! Shall we sit dow

was not enough to let her walk far with pleasure, sat down upon the green bench

again?" she asked, sadly, as she le

t, before he answered her, and when he spoke he seem

itterly, for, of course, I could not foresee that it could all come right again so soon, so very soon. And now that this weary time is over I can look bac

hearts and that might have brought a look of thoughtful interest into eyes dulled and wearied by the ordinary sights of this world. Vjera did not resent the innocent caress, but the colour that came into her face was not of the same

anything to you," she said. "

ing my misfortunes and trying to make others respect them. Wh

ing a great problem in his mind, then glancing sidelong at his companion's face, hesitating as though about to speak, checking himself and shutting his eyes again in meditation. Holding his

might choose his wife among such as they. But to-day Vjera was by his side, poor Vjera, who alone of those he had known during the years of his captivity had stood by him, had felt for him, had given him a sense of reliance in her perfect sincerity and honest affection. And her affection had grown into something more; it had developed into love during the last months. He had seen it, had known it and had done nothing to arrest the growth. Nay, he had done worse. Only a moment ago he had tak

sing on every syllable of his

nued to speak very slowly and earnestly, choosing his words and rounding his expressions as though he were making a declaration to a young princess instead of asking a poor Polish girl to marry him. He even drew himself together, as it were, with the m

indebted, to the world which has turned its back on me during a temporary embarrassment and loss of fortune, or to my friend Vjera who has been faithfully kind all along? The question itself is foolish. I owe everything to Vjera, and nothing to the world. The case is simple, the argument is short and the verdict is plain. I will not take the riches and the dignities which will be mine by this time to-morrow

slowly and thoughtfully, with an air of unalterable determination. He see

ot love you." Vjera made no sign, and a long pause followed

hildren, the gossiping nurses and the slowly moving crowd that filled the pavement along the drive in front of the palace. Vjera and the C

," said the Count again. "You are

s waxen cheeks, and there was an unaccustomed

ken the hearts of most men, and of the kind that do not dispose to great love-passion. If my troubles had come to me through the love of a woman-it might have been otherwise. As

d Vjera, sadly, "

said the Count in an unsteady voice. This time it

ave an unkind thought for y

nd there was a moisture in his

and surely not by any other man, while I live. I shall grow young again, I will grow young for you, for, in years at least, I am not old. I will be a boy for you, Vjera, and I will love as boys love, but with the strength of a man who has known sorrow and overlived it. You shall not feel that in taking me you are taking a father, a protector, a m

jera's answer was scarcely audibl

hy is it? Why do you not quite trust me and believe in me? I can make you happy, now. Yesterday it wa

o," said Vjera

life seem less unbearable. In his dreary world she alone had shown that she cared whether he lived or died, were insulted or respected, were treated like a dog or like a Christian man. The kindness of his employer was indeed undeniable, but it was of the sort which grated upon the sensitive nature of the unfortunate cigarette-maker, for it was in itself vulgarly cheerful, assuming that, after all, the Count should be contented with his lot. But Vjera had always seemed to understand him, to feel for him, to foresee his sensibilities as it were, and to be prepared for them. In a measure appreciable to himself she admired him, and admiration alone can make pity palatable to

e girl's obstinate rejection of his offer. A chilly tho

never loved me. You have only pitied me. You are go

irl, now almost took the shape of a tear. He was wounded in his innocent vanity, in the last stronghold of his fast-fading individuality. But

. "I love you with all my heart-I-ah, if you only

"If I only could-but there is some

estored in the magic of an instant the freshness of early youth to the weary mask of sorrow. Then

t is something I ought to remember and yet something I have quite forgotten.

go," said Vjera, and a little sob es

Nothing ever happens to me, nothing until now! And now, oh Vjera, it is

his return to liberty and fortune, he began to speak quickly and exc

of money, and the papers and the parchments and the seals. How they will stare at my poor lodging, for they have never known that I have been so wretched. Yes, one will bring money in a black leathern case-I know just how it will look-and another will have with him a box full of documents-all lawfully mine-and a third will bring my orders, that I once wore, and with them the order of Saint Alexander Nevsky and a letter on broad heavy paper, signed Alexander Alexandrovitch, signed by the Tsar himself, Vjera. And I shall go with them to be received in audience by the Prince Regent here, before I leave for Petersburg. And t

the poor man's anticipations with a sad, unchanging face, as though she had hea

and they died. And now everything is mine, everything, the lands and the houses and the money, all, all mine. But I will say a prayer for the

nd hard, so that Vjera shuddered as s

k loose from the house he has made for them to lie in and to sleep in for ever. And now, friend Death, I am master in their stead, and you

sheer overflowing of his heart. But Vjera sat still, silent and thoughtful, beside him, watching

You do not seem glad," he said,

ing with a great effort. "Who would not be glad a

saw how it was to be. When they turned me away from them like a dog, my father and my brother, I faced them on the threshold for the last time and I said to them, 'Look you, you have made an outcast of me, and yet I am your son, my father, and your brother, my brother, and you know it. And yet I tell you that when we meet again, I shall be master